Research Article Open Access

NATURAL COAGULANTS: AN EASY WAY TO REMOVE HEAVY METALS FROM TANNERY EFFLUENTS

Abstract

 The seeds of Strychnos potatorum and Moringa oleifera are a natural coagulant which shows promising bioflocculant activity. These seeds are used to purify the drinking water in rural South India. In this research, an attempt has been made to analyze the biosorption of heavy metals by Strychnos potatorum and Moringa oleifera seeds from the tannery effluent. Heavy metals were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The toxicity level of the treated effluent was analysed by green gram germination bioassay. Shoot length and root length of the germinated seeds were measured and seedling vigour index were calculated. The heavy metal removal efficiency of the seeds of Moringa and Stychnous was higher there by making both the seeds a promising candidate for industrial effluent treatment. These agro based compound could replace the chemical coagulant and is an environmentally friendly approach to effluent treatment.

 S.A. KAMALA SANKARI MADHAVAN* AND S. KARPAGAM

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